Monday, November 30, 2009

The two-week $481 million worldwide gross of "New Moon" has vaulted Summit Entertainment into the big leagues, but it also has created a high-class challenge for toppers Rob Friedman and Patrick Wachsberger.They will likely have to cut a few big checks if they decided, as rumored, to split Stephenie Meyer's final "Twilight" novel, "Breaking Dawn," into two pictures. Sources said Summit has set Melissa Rosenberg -- who wrote the first three films -- to finish the series, but Summit has to clear several hurdles before Rosenberg learns how many more scripts she'll write.

One of those hurdles is figuring out whether "New Moon" director Chris Weitz will respond favorably to overtures from the film company and the cast to shoot two more films, back to back.

Summit execs would not comment, but multiple sources said the company wants to go the two-film route, which means reopening negotiations and securing approval from the author. It also means making new deals with a principal cast that is only locked up for four films. If "Breaking Dawn" becomes two pictures, all of the key cast members will get fat raises, and the three principals -- Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner -- could land paydays in the eight-figure range.

That's what happened with key cast members when Warner Bros. extended its blockbuster "Harry Potter" franchise by turning J.K. Rowling's last book, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," into two films that will be released in November 2010 and July 2011. The global success of the franchise made the paydays worthwhile.

While the solution to most of Summit's challenges will be determined by its willingness to open its wallet, the prospect of a Weitz return is more complicated.

After feeling violated by New Line's altering of his pic "The Golden Compass," Weitz said he felt redeemed and reinvigorated by the success of "New Moon." Yet, just before the film's release, Weitz was steadfast that he would next direct "The Gardener," a comparatively tiny film scripted by Eric Eason, with Paul Witt and Christian McLaughlin producing. At the time, he said Summit was in discussions to fund that film.

Summit hasn't closed a deal for "The Gardener," probably because the film company wants Weitz to postpone it and work on "Breaking Dawn" instead. Can Weitz resist the chance to finish a global franchise he helped build, even though it will mean more time away from his family for a long shoot? That's the question the helmer and his reps will weigh shortly. Though Summit hasn't officially made Weitz an offer, sources said the job is his if he wants it. After bringing in "New Moon" at around $50 million and keeping the cast happy, he's the logical choice.

David Slade directed the next installment in the "Twilight" series, "Eclipse," which bows June 20.

With "New Moon" still riding high at the box office and poised to become one of the highest-grossing films of the year — if not all time — the world can't seem to get enough of Robert Pattinson. It's a good thing, then, that our pals over at MTV Radio recently spoke with the "Twilight" heartthrob.

Last week, we brought you RPattz's thoughts on romances, both onscreen and off. Now, as those Thanksgiving leftovers wear thin, we're happy to dish out part two of that interview, featuring some yummy tidbits on Rob's 90-year-old fans, jealousy over Taylor's bod, and his New Year's resolution to be less self-deprecating.

MTV: Taylor Lautner's transformation between the movies is now the stuff of legend. Tell us about the first time you saw him and what you thought.

Robert Pattinson: I didn't see Taylor until just a little bit before we started shooting ["New Moon"]. When he came back, I had the same reaction as everybody else. I was like, "Jeez, now I have to go to the gym!" But yeah, it was strange. This one was weird, because I hardly did any scenes with Taylor. We did the scenes at the beginning and scenes at the end [together], and he had his entire story line develop without me being around, which is interesting, because I had no idea where his performance was going. So it wasn't really a competition or anything; it was all independent. Whereas in "Eclipse," we're doing scenes together all the time with Bella.

MTV: Who is your favorite movie vampire of all time?

Pattinson: Wow, I don't really know. I always think of the wrong people. I always think Christian Slater in "Interview With a Vampire," but he's not the vampire — he's the interviewer! I really like Wesley Snipes [in the "Blade" movies]. I think Wesley Snipes is great.

MTV: Out of all the "Twilight" stars, you seem to do the fewest interviews. Why is that?

Pattinson: I think it's such a risky thing doing interviews. I try to limit the amount of interviews I do, because no one is that interesting, especially when you're not really saying anything. I don't particularly want to be some kind of character in society or whatever. So I guess the only thing you can do is do jobs and see if people respond to that.

MTV: You tease yourself as "not saying anything," and a lot of people see you as being self-deprecating. Are you?

Pattinson: I'm always told that I don't really know who I am, so hopefully I won't compartmentalize myself because of that. I am just completely ignorant of [how others perceive me]. I've never really struggled with anything up until recently. I've got to stop being so self-depreciating, because people are starting to believe it. They're like, "Yeah, that guy is an idiot." So I've tried to stop doing that.

MTV: What was the last fan interaction that really made you laugh?

Pattinson: I always find it funny when older people come up. There was a woman who came up to me the other day who must have been in her 90s! And she said all this stuff; it's very unusual. And they say exactly the same things as 12-year-old girls! That is kind of bizarre.

During the week, ABC's "Jimmy Kimmel Live" outdrew NBC's "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon" by a best-ever 39% in Total Viewers (1.76 million vs. 1.27 million), bettering the NBC late night program in viewers for the 9th consecutive week, all 9 weeks during the 2009-10 TV season. Season-to-date, "JKL" is attracting 26% more overall viewers than NBC's "Fallon" (1.72 million vs. 1.37 million). With just 3 nights left to be counted, "Kimmel" leads "Fallon" by an even bigger margin of 34% during the 2009 November Sweep (1.74 million vs. 1.30 million)

On Friday (11/20/09), featuring guests Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, Taylor Lautner and Death Cab for Cutie, "JKL" drew its biggest audience on the evening in more than 6 months (since 5/15/09) and its 2nd-largest audience on any night this season.

Source: NTI, National Live + Same Day Program Ratings, week of 11/16/09, or as dated. Season-to-date averages based on Most Current Ratings. 2009-10 TV Season (9/21 11/22/09)

Sunday, November 29, 2009

What is it that makes millions of girls scream at every appearance of 23 year old Robert Pattinson? It is a reasonable male question, isn’t it?

In Harry Potter he went almost unnoticed. His potential to become an idol started showing with his lead role in “Twilight”. The second movie of the series, “New Moon”, has just come out making the biggest opening of all time with $72.7 million the first week end worldwide, and a 300,000 tickets opening week end in Greece.

The fascination associated with Pattinson now is many times bigger than the one associated with DiCaprio after the “Titanic”. So, there rises the inevitable question: What kind of icons are the ones needed in these times?

This is a guy who is much less of a rebel than the stars of the previous decades. He is clearly milder, more romantic and devoted to the one he falls in love with-in addi­tion to that, he is obediently loyal to her. He seems to be some thing like that in real life as well. He doesn’t take advantage of his celebrity status, collecting female hearts. Not up until now, at least. According to magazines, he is the new, more sophisticated version of a popstar, going around with a book in his hand and choosing to play the piano instead of football. Girls swear that he has an underground charm, a mystery that comes from an inherent reservedness and the appear­ance of an indifferent, disheveled charmer.

The point is not for how long this kid will remain on the top of the “hot” list, but that every era has the icons it needs to find its balance.

(This was a little article in the first pages of the issue. I found it quite interesting and the Dean picture is quite suggesting. There was also an article exploring the Twilight phenomenon before the interview as well but it was nothing new.)

Interview

Q: How uncomfortable is it, being called the new Leonardo diCaprio?

A: I think it’s not fair, especially to him. He was nominated for an Oscar when he was eleven years old or something .I don’t consider myself to be his successor.

Q: Your face is now in every teenage girl’s room. How do you feel as a teenage idol?A: It’s interesting. I never thought I would cause such reactions to peo­ple. I never thought that pale skin can be considered so sexy. But it’s funny. When I was in school, no one expected some thing like that from me. However, some years later, everything changed.

Q: Can you still walk on the street like a normal person though? You could become the victim of hoards of young girls.A: Not really. Things change very fast in the big cities. When you’re in a restaurant, it makes sense for people to gather outside. On the other hand, it depends on how much you’re interested in something like that.

Q: You have a real passion for music. You also wrote a song for the first movie’s soundtrack. Have you left your music endeavors behind you or is there still room for rock music in your heart?A: I’ve started play ing a little bit more now. During the shooting of the third movie I wrote some songs. I don’t know if I’m going to do some­thing with them.

Q: You have a band, if I’m not mistaken?A: Not anymore. I used to have a band when I was fifteen. But music remains very important for me. I just don’t want to release an album now because it will be like Edward Cullen’s new album.

Q: So, is acting more important for you?A: It is as important as music, but it is dangerous to give myself to both at the same time. I think it’s better to focus on one or the other.

Q: Is it annoying being confused with your character, Edward Cullen?A: You just have to wait and see how people will take you. If people still see me as Edward Cullen in 25 years, I think I might have to murder someone.

Q: How’s the ideal date for you?A: I have no idea. I’m not at all good at dating.

Q: Don’t you go out on dates in England, like in America?A: We don’t “go out on dates” in England. If you go out with a girl once, then she’s your girlfriend. Otherwise, you’re a womanizer.

Q: So you’re monogamous?A: Yes, one girl at a time!!!

Q: Many reviewers have said that Stephanie Meyer’s books are nothing more than a metaphor for sexual repression. Do you agree with that interpretation?A: There is a meaning to the story, even without trying to find the hid­den metaphors. I didn’t even know S. Meyer was a Mormon and it didn’t affect me at all when I learnt that.

Q: How about Jack Nicholson in Wolf?A: Jack Nicholson in general. He is the reason I wanted to be an actor.

Q: How does it feel being in the company of other established stars?A: The truth is that stars don’t particularly impress me. But I meet them when I go to talk shows. That’s when I get nervous because I try to be funny and smart at the same time. I try to find the right joke for the right moment and, damn, that’s not even my job.

Q: Do you ever dream of vampires?A: No. And to be honest I rarely dream at all. It’s annoying.

Q: Together with Kristen Stewart you share the luck of having become famous with just one movie. How much have you bonded with her because of that?A: It’s wonderful knowing that you’re working with people that are at the beginning of their career as well, covering the same distance. We are all at a very crucial point in our lives. I think we will never forget the days of Twilight.

Q: Are you at all excited with all the new fame you have gained?A: Some times you give interviews and you’re so tired answering the same questions over again and saying different stuff. I gave 2 inter­views recently to 2 magazines and when I read them one after the other they made me look like some one who wants to kill himself. I don’t know. It will probably take me a lot of time to realize what has hap­pened to me.

(The interviewer was Sian Edwards for The Interview People- it doesn’t say when it was taken. Even in Greek, some things seemed kind of off… Like, he wasn’t answer­ing exactly the question asked and that is probably a translation problem.)

Saturday, November 28, 2009

It's a gossip show from Brazil and they twisted Rob's words, so it's hard to translate what he's saying

Rough translation:

About success - "A few hours ago I was eating breakfast at a coffee shop and no one recognized me"About Edward and Bella's relationship (the tv show says its unhealthy and asks if he agrees) - "No. Not at all. I think when you're in love everything is fine." About fans camping for 5 days for the premiere - "Hopefully I won't disappoint them"